Forum Discussion

1stgenfarmboy's avatar
Jun 19, 2017

How long will the batteries last

Some info on water and 12v usage when boondocking, without using fancy words and numbers.:W





We just camped in Cataloochee NC for 6 days, no power hook up or water, I installed a second 12v deep cycle batt to go along with the factory one, my TT is a 2017 with a 48gl fresh water tank.

we ran the fridge on LP along with the WH of corse, just my wife and I and the two little dogs on this trip.

we took 3 showers each " military style " get wet soap up head to toe and rinse, on the other days we washed the stinky spots, we also washed up the dishes every night.

If we were outside the TT we walked to the CG bathrooms so we didn't fill the black tank, but we had plenty of room left at the end of the 6 days.

we used small magnetic led lights for house lights when we were in the TT after dark, unless we had lost something then we turned on the big lights.

I grilled every night and she fixed sides in the outdoor kitchen.

we also have a net dome that will cover the table and a 10x10 EZ-up canopy.


when we left we had 1/2 of the fresh water left and at least half the 12v power left, we could have taken a shower every night and used the house lights more.



If you don't waste any 12v or water I really think 10-12 days is doable if you use your potty for night time and emergency only and and use water sparingly you can still smell pretty good at the end of the stay.



Dar
  • Why would I add 3-7 hundred bucks worth of solar If I can go a week without it.


    I had solar on my Lance TC, it was nice, but I don't have it on this TT.


    I am simply informing some new campers how long you can go without shore power, and dumping.



    way to help out though.......thanks.
  • Add 400 to 600 watts of solar and you won't run out of power ever.
  • Since you're so conservative a couple hundred watts of solar and using led lights on the interior would extend your battery life as already stated.
  • Convert to LED lamps in the trailer and you can save the flashlights for outdoors only.
    If you had much sun then maybe 200 watts solar and the battery would go indefinitely.
    Great report.
  • I've done 4 days with 3/4 battery remaining. All LED lights inside and out which were used at will, heater not needed and really just water pump as the only drain.

    My limit is definatly the black tank as it's only 15 gallons but after dark it's back to nature if you know what I mean.


    OP, nice truck;)
  • It's really the furnace that uses the most energy on most RV's. I use a pair of GC2's on my trailer. I can easily go an entire week or more if I'm not needing the furnace, but most of the places I camp are wooded and cold, so it's a comfort requirement. I tend to limit to 2-3 nights in that case before I either hook up or top off with a generator. Last time out I stretched it to 5 nights and didn't have enough voltage left to wind up my awning, but was using the furnace and bathroom vent fan a lot.
  • IF you consider doing all the above fun, ok with me. Of course not refilling fresh water won't hurt the fresh water tank but not recharging batteries will shorten their useful life.

    IF you don't consider such frugality fun, then install solar which will refill your batteries by 2 p.m. or so on most days.
  • Our Conservative Campin' Style (CCS) is simialr to yours. Trojan batteries with 125Ah available, 60 gal fresh water and 2 40-gal sewer tanks. Only real difference is that we camp where no campground bathroom is available.

    After about 6 or 7 days, the batteries are at just about 50-percent, our water is getting low, and the black tank is at 3/4. We have yet to run out of anything nor had the battery get below 50-percent, but this summer we will push beyond the 7-days and see what happens.